Colorado Springs, Lap. (Nobyembre 25, 2019) – Arkansas boxing icon Ray Rodgershas successfully dealt with more cuts than most surgeons, all the way into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame, in which he’ll be inducted on Friday night, Disyembre 13, during a special Class of 2019 ceremony, sa Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino sa Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Ang pagdawat sa HOF gihimo inubanan sa 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing and 2019 National Championships, Dec. 7-15, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The finals of the Olympic Trials will be held Sunday, Dec. 15, sa Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino. Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein gikan sa Showtime Sports ang magsilbing emcee sa maong kalihukan sa ikatulong sunodsunod nga tuig.
The USA Boxing Alumni Association’s third HOF class also includes three Olympic gold-medalists, “Big” George foreman, “Smokin'” Joe Frazier ug Mark Breland, as well as legendary coach Al Mitchell.
Si Sen. John McCain will be posthumously presented a special Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work to protect boxers and elevate the sport.
There isn’t much in boxing, if anything, that Rodgers hasn’t done: boksidor, official, trainer, administrator and, siyempre, cut tawo. “I’m a boxing guy,” Rodgers said in his Southern twang. “I’ve been around the block, several times. But I don’t say I’m a cut man, I’m a laceration management specialist.”
Rodgers first got into boxing when he was in the fifth grade, back in Oklahoma, where he was born. A memo was sent around that there would be a tryout for boxing held the next day at the local high school gym. His parents gave their permission to let him tryout, the first chapter of his incredible boxing career.
“From the first moment,” the charming boxing character remembered, “Ako naadik. I still have the letter I received in boxing. That was in 1947 and I’m still in boxing. I’m very proud of that.”
Rodgers has worked 39 world championship fights in professional boxing, as a cut man (he only trains amateur boxers) for the likes of world champions Jermaine Taylor, Wayne McCollough ug Tommy Morrison.
“It’s been beyond belief for a regular old boxing guy like me,” Rodgers said about his life in boxing. “I’ve traveled all over the world, many times, as a cut man.”
He was the first national official of both the Golden Gloves and Silver Gloves. More, he’s already been inducted in three Hall of Fames: Silver Gloves, Golden Gloves and Arkansas Sports HOF.
“Ray’s sacrifice to countless youth as a coach, mentor, cut tawo, and leader throughout the amateur boxing community is inspirational,” mikomentaryo Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “His years of service and the knowledge he has passed on to other generations is what makes him a Hall of Famer, and we look forward to honoring him in December.”
Rodgers hasn’t slowed down, despite recently celebrating his 83rd adlaw nga natawhan. He still owns and operates Ray Rodgers Boxing Club in West Little Rock, Arkansas, in addition to serving as director of the Arkansas Golden Gloves and Mid-South Tournament, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Western Tennessee and Arkansas. And he’s also the vice-president of the National Golden Gloves and chairman of the National Silver Gloves.
“At my age, I’m happy to have any birthday,” Rodgers joked. “I’m hoping to live another 10-12 ka tuig, Lord willing. It’s all in the Lord’s hands; controlling the flow of blood, bisan, is in my hands.”
Ang gikumpirma nga espesyal nga mga bisita naglakip 1988 Olympic gold medalist Andrew Maynard, tulo ka higayon nga National AAU Coach of the Year (1972-76-77) Joe Clough, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Frank Tate ug ang iyang igsoon nga lalake Thomas, 1972 Olympian Tim Dement, 2002 National Golden Gloves champion Jaidon Codrington, 1980 Kwalipikasyon sa Olympic Jackie Beard, 1981 Junior Olympics Glen Modicue, upat ka higayon nga National champion Eric Kelly, 1988 Kampeon sa Eastern Olympic Qualifier Juan Scully, Obie Beard, Mark Lanton ug ang mgaStephens brothers – Donald, Anthony ug Jerry.
UNSAON PAGKA MEMBER SA USA BOXING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Gibuhat aron kampeon sa tibuok kinabuhi, mutually beneficial nga relasyon tali sa USA Boxing ug sa alumni niini, –boxers, mga opisyal, coach ug boxing fans — Ang Alumni Association nagkonektar sa mga henerasyon sa mga kampeon, makapadasig ug naghatag balik sa umaabot nga boxing champion sa USA Boxing, sa ug gikan sa mga singsing.
Ang USA Boxing Alumni Association bukas sa bisan kinsa nga adunay gugma sa boksing ug gusto nga magpabilin nga konektado sa amateur boxing. Ang mga miyembro gihatagan og access sa usa ka halapad nga lainlain nga espesyal nga mga panghitabo nga gi-host sa Alumni Association, lakip ang pagdawat sa Hall of Fame sa USA Boxing Alumni Association.
Aron makaapil sa Alumni Association, magparehistro lang sa alumni@usaboxing.org para sa a $40.00 kada tuig nga membership fee. Ang mga bag-ong miyembro makadawat og T-shirt, keychain ug e-wallet.
CLASS SA 2017: Ang klase sa charter gipangulohan ni Muhammad Ali ug Evander Holyfield, dugang sa mga beteranong coach Roosevelt Sanders ug Tom Coulter.
CLASS SA 2018: U.S. Mga medalya sa Olympic Team ug kalibutan (propesyonal nga) mga kampeon Roy Jones, Jr., Andre Ward ug Claressa Shields, ingon man ang kanhi USA Boxing National Director sa Coaching Emanuel Piniyalan ug beteranong opisyal sa USA Boxing Tom Cleary.